It is very certain that our forces are too much scattered. It is useless
to hold the coast unless we can break the centre at Richmond.

My conviction however is clear that McClellan has a force which,
properly handled, is vastly superior to any thing that can be brought
against him. And I am strongly inclined to the opinion that with more
under his immediate command he would practically no stronger.

What is needed from him is strong and effective cooperation. Hence
I have urged the sending of an adequate force up James River to cooperate with the Gunboats. I feel certain that this done immediately
after the fall of Norfolk and the blowing up of the Merrimac wd. have
resulted in the capture of Richmond. Another cooperative movement
was & is intended by McDowell from Fredericksburg, which should in
fact have been the base of operations against Richmond instead of
Fortress Monroe. To this end a large & fine army was gathered under McDowell at F--and was to have moved in force & rapidly this morning--all its preparations having been completed on Saturday.

But in consequence of failure to cooperate because of diverse works
given them to do between Banks & Fremont, Ewells force2was able to
get up to Front Royal Friday & drive or capture the men stationed
there & fall on Banks & drive him first to Winchester & then across
the Potomac on Sunday. This movement, sustained by a force under Jackson & another under Johnson3endangered Harpers Ferry & even Washington, & menaced Maryland. To repel it & if possible capture or
destroy the invaders became a prime necessity. To this end two of McDowells divisions were ordered to the support of Banks & Fremont.4

McDowell however with his force reduced in half is advancing towards Richmond: and will I hope be able to give substantial aid to McClellan

The whole state of things is very far from satisfactory to me. But I am
unable to do much outside of my own department. What I can do, I do.
When I think my counsel useful or even likely to be considered I give
it. I am so strongly impressed by the sense of your letter, that I shall
urge its general views again on the President and Mr. Stanton.

I have a trouble though which lies back of these movements. I believe in Gods Providence, and I believe that all oppression & the chief

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